Contributing sermons since Oct 3, 2001

Education: I graduated from South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD)with a B.A. in Sociology in May 1986. I also attended the Navigators’ Leadership Development Institute for 2 years. Was ordained in the Wesleyan Church in June 2006.

Experience: Called to vocational ministry in my mid-30's, but was active in ministry through my church, the Gideons, and helping with campus ministry at SDSU. Became the pastor of Aberdeen Wesleyan Church in Sept. of 2000, and served there until God called me to campus ministry. I have been the Campus Staff Member for IVCF at Northern State University since June 2012.

Comment to those looking at my sermons: My desire is to help people move from where they are to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. My messages are designed to do just that, whether the hearer is a non-believer, or someone who has loved Jesus for decades. I have a passion to help the church become filled with people who THINK - and can meet the challenges to our faith in a reasoned and reasonable manner.

Sermon or series that made a difference: Spiritual gifts series by Rev. Tim Purcell, my pastor at Brookings Wesleyan Church. This helped affirm what I thought God was calling me to, particularly about evangelism.

Family: My wife Debra and I have been married 25 years, and have five children. Two are out of the house, but we are in the process of adopting 2 others.

What my parents think of my sermons: My mom says she likes my messages (but she’s my mom, after all!). My Dad has not heard me preach yet, but am hopeful he will be able to hear them sometime (I’m not sure I should just send him my tapes - would that seem prideful?).

What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She thinks I am a gifted preacher.

Best advice given to me about preaching: I can’t remember who told me this, or if I heard on a tape, but the advice was to make sure that anyone walking in the door could understand the message, whether they had walked with Christ for decades or had not yet found Him.
So I strive to make my messages understandable, using very little Christian "jargon" while still preaching and teaching the concepts.

Books that have had an impact: Aside from Scripture, one of the biggest is IN HIS STEPS, by Charles Sheldon. Others include JUST AS I AM, by Billy Graham (my hero!), HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE, by Dale Carnegie, THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHURCH, by Rick Warren, SURPRISING INSIGHTS FROM THE UNCHURCHED, by Thom S. Rainer, and EVANGELISM THAT WORKS, by George Barna. Another great book I’ve finished reading recently is THEY LIKE JESUS BUT NOT THE CHURCH, by Dan Kimball.
Books about preaching that have most shaped me ar

Hobbies: I love to read, read, read! And when I’m not reading, I am generally watching John Wayne movies or Minnesota Twins Baseball!

If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, before it is too late!

Newest Sermons

Contributed on Mar 30, 2011

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Last in four-part series on finances. This one discusses John Wesley’s maxim, "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can." Supported by passages from Proverbs.

Following Jesus with Our Finances
Part 4 – Developing a Healthy Attitude toward Finances
Various Scriptures
March 27, 2011
NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE."
Audio of this message can be heard at
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Contributed on Mar 30, 2011

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Part three of this stewardship series, this one focusing on being content with what God has given us.

Following Jesus with Your Finances
Part 3 – The Value of Contentment
Philippians 4:10-14
March 20, 2011
Me: One of the issues that pastors face when talking about money is many of us are afraid that that no matter what we say, it will be taken as just another way of trying to get into
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Contributed on Mar 30, 2011

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Second in stewardship series. This message discusses generosity in giving.

Following Jesus with Your Finances
Part 2 - The Right Motivation for Giving
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
March 13, 2011
NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS FROM ANDY STANLEY'S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE."
Audio of this message can be heard at www.aberdeenwesleyan.org.
Me: We’re in
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Contributed on Mar 30, 2011

First in 4-part series about how being a disciple of Jesus means following Him in how we handle "our" money. This one shows how our money handling is an indication of our relationship with Jesus.

Following Jesus with Your Finances
Part 1- The Money Thermometer
Matthew 19:16-24
March 6, 2011
Audio of this message can be heard at www.aberdeenwesleyan.org.
Introduction
We’re starting what will be a four-part series on following Jesus with our finances.
For our guests
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Contributed on Mar 30, 2011

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Part 3 of this marriage series, this message discussing how wives can contribute to a great marriage.

The Art of Marriage
Part 3 – Lessons for Wives
Ephesians 5:33
February 27, 2011
Audio of this message can be heard at www.aberdeenwesleyan.org.
Introduction
This is the last in a 3-part series on the Art of Marriage.
We’ve talked about the foundation of a marriage being
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